Rebbeim

Rabbi Shimon Max – Rosh Bais Medrash

Rabbi Shimon Max has a wealth of Yeshiva experience including serving as Rosh HaYeshiva and Rebbe for well over a decade. Prior to his teaching experience, Rabbi Max served as an Assistant Rabbi in Havurat Yisrael, a large synagogue in Forest Hills, New York, where he conducted a popular Beginners’ Service every Shabbos and Yom Tov for about five years. To this day, many of his Baal Habatim remain in close contact with him, as well as help support the Yeshiva he founded in Cherry Hill.

Rabbi Max has followed the directive of our Rebbe, Hagoan Harav Henoch Leibowitz, ZT’L to assume a position of Rosh HaYeshiva, in order to maximize his talents in serving Klal Yisroel. Rabbi Max’s charisma and warmth has enlightened many over the years, and he continues to inspire his students today to the beauty and depth of Torah. Rabbi Max has been privileged to serve as an assistant rebbe in the shiurim of such great Torah luminaries such as The Rosh HaYeshiva, Hagoan Harav Henoch Leibowitz, ZT’L, as well as Hagoan Harav Shmuel Niman, Shlita.

Rabbi Max has taught advanced high school and Beis Medrash gemara shiurim, both in our parent Yeshiva, Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim of Queens, and in Foxman Torah Institute to virtually every grade and level. He is the head of the Stein Bais Medrash program for FTI and gives shiur to the Bais Medrash. Rabbi Max resides in Cherry Hill with his wife and children. Over the years, countless students have enjoyed the hospitality and care of the Max family as well as the delicious cooking of his Rebbitzen.

Rabbi Ari Baum – 10th Grade Iyun, Bais Medrash Shoel U’Meshiv

Rabbi Ari Baum has taught on a wide range of levels, including Gemara and Chumash classes in Mesivta Chofetz Chaim in Queens, community shiurim to baal habatim at multiple shuls, text-based study with college students at Stony Brook University, and one-on-one study with boys and men from young to old. He served as a beloved and dedicated Rosh Chabura in the Kollel in Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim, and was a mentor to many of its younger Talmidim.

Rabbi Baum’s dedication, insight, and intuitive understanding of human nature have served him well in his many positions. He has a rare ability to connect with and respond to each talmid’s unique academic needs while helping the talmid recognize his own strength and potential.

Rabbi Baum completed his years of full-time study at Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in Queens, and was ordained with Semicha in 2015. He received educational training and tutelage from Rabbi Hillel Mandel through the National Torah Initiative’s Chinuch Training Program, and completed an Educational Training Course of teaching consultant Rabbi Elimelech Gottlieb. Additionally, he holds a B.S. in Psychology from Excelsior College.

Rabbi Baum and his wife Yocheved (nee Halpern) live in Cherry Hill with their three delicious children, Menachem, Leah Lifsha, and Eliyahu.

Rabbi Chesky Bergida – Shoel U’Meshiv

Rabbi Chesky Bergida received his Semicha from Yeshiva Chofetz Chaim in early 2015 after studying there for seven and a half years. Rabbi Bergida stayed on as a Rosh Chabura for Kollel men in the post-shiur Bais Medrash program. In the winter months of 2010-11 he spent a few months at FTI with a group of Bais Medrash Fellowship mentors and fondly recalls the happy and energetic atmosphere at the Yeshiva as well as the pleasant and welcoming environment of the community at large.

Rabbi Bergida joins FTI in our development office and brings a lot of passion and charm to the position.

Adina Bergida (nee-Meltzer) and Rabbi Chezky both grew up in Kew Gardens, NY. and have been married for 4 years. They both spent time studying in Israel prior to marrying. Mrs. Begida is a BCBA and has been working with young children with autism for 5 years. The Bergida’s have two children, Duvie, 3, and Sara, 1.

Rabbi Avrohom Harris – Mashgiach

Rabbi Harris was a dedicated and beloved Rosh Chabura for many years at RSA. Prior to joining FTI to help establish our Bais Medrash program, Rabbi Harris served as Rosh Kollel of the Great Neck Scholars Kollel where he gathered a devoted following and was also a popular Rebbe in the Chofetz Chaim High School of Queens.

Rabbi Harris brings his erudition, passion, and love of teaching to our bais medrash talmidim both in and out of shiur. Rabbi Harris’s ability to make even the most complex sugyos easily understood, assures a smooth transition into Bais Medrash.

In his role as Mashgiach, Rabbi Harris dedicates himself to the growth and happiness of every talmid. His warm personality, keen insight, and subtle humor combine to elevate our talmidim in all areas of life.